Using a CPL filter for portraits?

GR3Z · 15 Apr 2013

I've just ordered a sigma 85 prime and I always like to use a filter for protection, i just curious if any one uses cpl filters for portraits rather than uv

markmullen · 15 Apr 2013

Hopefully you're not going to get a reflection off your subject, so not sure why you'd use a CPL, other than as a makeshift ND filter in order to use a wide aperture in bright light for DoF reasons.

GR3Z · 15 Apr 2013

markmullen said:
Hopefully you're not going to get a reflection off your subject, so not sure why you'd use a CPL, other than as a makeshift ND filter in order to use a wide aperture in bright light for DoF reasons.

Cleared that up nicely... Thanks

markmullen · 15 Apr 2013

No problem. I should point out I very rarely take portraits so there may be some reason I've not thought of.

GR3Z · 15 Apr 2013

Next question.

When shooting on a really bright day and shooting with a really wide aperture say f1.4 to achieve I really shallow DOF, is it better to use ND's like you mentioned or just crank the shutter speed up, is there any image quality loss when taking portraits with shutter speeds really fast?

markmullen · 15 Apr 2013

No issue, apart from if you want to use studio flashes, or 3rd party flashes without HSS, when you can't go above the sync speed, so you might need ND filters then.

GR3Z · 15 Apr 2013

markmullen said:
No issue, apart from if you want to use studio flashes, or 3rd party flashes without HSS, when you can't go above the sync speed, so you might need ND filters then.

Thanks

FlyTVR · 24 Apr 2013

GR3Z said:
Thanks

How's it going Graeme?

In addition to flash limitations, if you are shooting at F1.2 (or similar), even at ISO 100, you'll run out of shutter speed pretty quickly (1/8000th for example) on bright days.

Cheers.

Dav

GR3Z · 26 Apr 2013

All good and still learning all the features of the 5d... Really pleased with 85mm sigma 1.4, i couldn't justify the canon price as i don't make any money from it.... Must say tho its razor sharp even1.4

wyx087 · 26 Apr 2013

For some people who has skin that is quite oily and can't add make-up in the field, it's good to use CPL to reduce glare from it.

But as I've found out, on-camera flash still gives a shinny nose tip.

cabstar · 2 May 2013

I use nd and cpl for portraits in harsh sunshine.

motoroller · 2 May 2013

How about for reflections from glasses?

stevewestern · 3 May 2013

motoroller said:
How about for reflections from glasses?

That's an interesting question - never thought of it before and no idea about the answer, but assume that yes, it will reduce reflections - not hot-spots though..

motoroller · 3 May 2013

stevewestern said:
That's an interesting question - never thought of it before and no idea about the answer, but assume that yes, it will reduce reflections - not hot-spots though..

Hot-spots?

Gr8Shot · 3 May 2013

I wouldn't recommend shooting portraits at 1.4. Most likely your dof will be too shallow and you will not get everything in focus.

stevewestern · 3 May 2013

motoroller said:
Hot-spots?

If an on-camera flash is used or the sun reflects from the glasses.

I wasn't referring to a common teenage problem !!